IB Resources

We compiled all the resources we create for International Baccalaureate students on this page. You can find study tips, wall planners for the academic year, interviews with our IB tutors, and video series on every aspect of the International Baccalaureate.

Cambridge IGCSE Subject Briefs: Foreign Languages

The following Cambridge IGCSE curriculum is made for students who are learning one of the following foreign languages: Greek, French, Italian, German or Spanish.

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This Cambridge IGCSE curriculum is made for students who are learning one of the following foreign languages: Greek, French, Italian, German or Spanish. The aim is to develop the students’ ability to communicate in a practical way and enhance their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Some foreign languages offer two different curricula. The only difference between them is the grading system. One curriculum is graded on the traditional A*-G scale, whereas the other is graded on a scale 9-1, with 9 being the equivalent to an A*. Please note that all schools in the UK will offer the 9-1 curriculum by 2020, and schools in Administrative Zone 3 may offer it from 2019 onwards. All other zones will continue to follow the A*-G curriculum until further notice.

Topics covered:

The syllabus covers five main topics, which are:

For more information on each topic area, check out the Cambridge syllabus for your relevant foreign language.

Assessment and Grading:

As mentioned before, whether you are graded on the A*-G scale or the 9-1 scale depends on your school and foreign language.

Regardless of the curriculum you choose to follow, you will sit four exam papers, one for each of the five Assessment Objectives: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Again, check the syllabus for specific information on each paper, but you can see the main structure of each exam below:

Grade boundaries change every year and vary between foreign languages. As an example, in June 2017, German students had to score at least 158 out of 200 weighted marks (around 79%) to earn an A*, while a C was at a minimum of 98 marks (49%). You can check past years’ boundaries here.